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Trug making at the Truggery

In winter, sweet chestnut poles, are coppiced from local ancient woodland, split with a 'froe' (cleaving axe) and left to season for several months.

When ready, each piece is split again, the heartwood removed and the remainder, with the bark left on, is shaved with a drawknife to make a smooth handle and rim. Once steamed to make them pliable enough to bend round a wooden former they are pinned into position for form the supporting framework of the trug.

The body of the trug is made from overlapping willow boards each one individually shaped and shaved with the drawknife and nailed into position.